Re: Beware of Radio Shack

• Previous message: Jeff K: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• In reply to: Mantra: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• Next in thread: w2rac: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• Reply: w2rac: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]

Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 21:43:16 -0500

In article <a6403f08.0407151750.578a6f65@posting.google.com>,
 mymantra@yahoo.com (Mantra) wrote:

> Gnarlodious <gnarlodious@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:<BD1C23C4.51B51%gnarlodious@yahoo.com>...
> > I bought a small item at Radio Shack several months ago, and the clerk
> > asked
> > the man in front of me for his social security number. He began reciting it
> > in public but I interrupted him, telling him she didn't need his SS# and he
> > should never publicly announce it. A loud argument ensued with the clerk
> > bringing out the manager. The manager assured me it was official RS policy
> > to take SS# during a checkout, even for cash. He also told me I had no
> > right
> > to tell customers not to publicly announce their SS# while in line. The
> > argument escalated and the manager called the police.
> >
> > I got out of there real quick.
>
> If this is true, I wouldn't have left. Naturally the manager's claim
> is utter BS. It would have been fun to call his bluff and let the
> police come. There's a minor issue of 1st Amendment, and then half a
> dozen criminal and civil cases if the police a dumb enough to take the
> manager's side. Even with the store theoretically being "private
> property" that fact that it's open to the public pretty much trumps
> that argument. And them there's the PR value of calling a press
> conference in front of the store to utter ridicule the manager and
> corporate HQ. Don't be a wimp next time. :-)

Not to mention the fact that technically, they can't legally ask you for
your social security number. But the don't have to sell the product to
you if you don't want to provide it apparently.

from the SSA website:
<http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/>
and click on the Questions about your Social Security number & card link.

When do I have to provide my Social Security number?

Question

Must I provide a Social Security number (SSN) to any business or
government agency that asks?

Answer

The Social Security number (SSN) was originally devised to keep an
accurate record of each individuals earnings, and to subsequently
monitor benefits paid under the Social Security program. However, use
of the SSN as a general identifier has grown to the point where it is
the most commonly used and convenient identifier for all types of
record-keeping systems in the United States.

Specific laws require a person to provide his/her SSN for certain
purposes. While we cannot give you a comprehensive list of all
situations where an SSN might be required or requested, an SSN is
required/requested by:

 Internal Revenue Service for tax returns and federal loans
 Employers for wage and tax reporting purposes
 States for the school lunch program
 Banks for monetary transactions
 Veterans Administration as a hospital admission number
 Department of Labor for workers compensation
 Department of Education for Student Loans
 States to administer any tax, general public assistance, motor vehicle
or drivers license law within its jurisdiction
 States for child support enforcement
 States for commercial drivers licenses
 States for Food Stamps
 States for Medicaid
 States for Unemployment Compensation
 States for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
 U.S. Treasury for U.S. Savings Bonds

The Privacy Act regulates the use of SSNs by government agencies. When a
Federal, State, or local government agency asks an individual to
disclose his or her Social Security number, the Privacy Act requires the
agency to inform the person of the following: the statutory or other
authority for requesting the information; whether disclosure is
mandatory or voluntary; what uses will be made of the information; and
the consequences, if any, of failure to provide the information.

If a business or other enterprise asks you for your SSN, you can refuse
to give it. However, that may mean doing without the purchase or
service for which your number was requested. For example, utility
companies and other services ask for a Social Security number, but do
not need it; they can do a credit check or identify the person in their
records by alternative means. Giving your number is voluntary, even when
you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask why
your number is needed, how your number will be used, what law requires
you to give your number and what the consequences are if you refuse. The
answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your
Social Security number. The decision is yours.

For more detailed information, we recommend the publication at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10002.html

Greg B.

-- 
Actual e-mail address is gbuchner and I'm located at mn.rr.com

• Previous message: Jeff K: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• In reply to: Mantra: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• Next in thread: w2rac: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• Reply: w2rac: "Re: Beware of Radio Shack"
• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]